Quick-attach steam dispersion tubes and method of attachment

ABSTRACT

A steam dispersion system is disclosed. The steam dispersion system includes a header and a mounting plate spaced from the header. A steam dispersion tube including a first end and a second end and an interior cavity defined between the first end and the second end is mounted between the mounting plate and the header. The steam dispersion tube defines a longitudinal axis. A biasing structure is mounted between the mounting plate and the header, wherein the biasing structure applies a biasing force on the steam dispersion tube along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the steam dispersion tube when mounted between the header and the mounting plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/970,729,filed Aug. 20, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/009,134, filed Jan. 16, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,534,644,which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The principles disclosed herein relate generally to the field of steamdispersion humidification. More particularly, the disclosure relates toa steam dispersion system including quick attach and detach steamdispersion tubes and methods of attachment thereof.

BACKGROUND

There are a number of different known configurations for steamdispersion humidification systems. One known configuration utilizes aplurality of closely spaced steam dispersion tubes with steam dispersionnozzles for emitting steam. The plurality of steam dispersion tubesextend across the air duct and provide humidification steam to airflowing therethrough.

The plurality of steam dispersion tubes may extend from a central steammanifold such as a header. In certain configurations, the steamdispersion tubes may extend from a header at one end and be attached tothe duct wall at the other end, usually through a bracket or a frame. Incertain other configurations, the steam dispersion tubes may bepositioned between two headers supplying steam to the tubes.

In most conventional systems, attachment of the steam dispersion tubes,either to the header(s), or to the duct, may be a cumbersome and atime-consuming process, requiring many steps, a large number of partsand tools.

For example, in one conventional method of attachment, holes are firstdrilled into a header wall. Lengths of tubing are cut into short stubs(e.g., 3 inch stubs). The stubs are aligned with the holes drilled intothe header and welded at each stub-to-header joint. The walls of theheader might warp from the heat caused by the welding, and, thus, mightneed to be straightened out. Once the stubs are welded onto the header,either a plastic coupling piece or a hose cuff (i.e., a short piece ofhose, for example, 2 inches in length) is slid over each of the stubs.The plastic couplings may be shaped in an inner diameter portion thereofto seat a number of sealing structures such as O-rings, gaskets, etc.,to provide a seal with outer diameter of the stubs. The plasticcouplings may be friction-fitted onto the stubs. In the case of hosecuffs, hose clamps may be used.

The elongate steam dispersion tubes are slid into the other end of theplastic couplings or the hose cuffs and are sealed with sealingstructures such as O-rings, gaskets, etc. Again, a friction fit for theplastic couplings or hose clamps for the hose cuffs may be used forattachment.

In a single header system, the other end of the steam dispersion tubesmay be attached to the duct wall through a frame or a bracket. A cap maybe welded to the other end of the steam dispersion tube. A nut may bewelded to the cap. From thereon, a bolt and a L-bracket may be used toattach the end of the steam dispersion tube to the duct wall.

As described above, conventional spring dispersion tube attachmenttechniques are cumbersome, time-consuming, and require a large numberparts and tools. The lengths of the parts including the stubs and thedispersion tubes have to be cut accurately to provide for correctfitment. Thermal expansion of the parts may lead to failure of the sealjoints. Moreover, if the tubes need replacing, detachment thereof may beas cumbersome as their attachment.

Other attachment methods providing convenient and quick mounting ofsteam dispersion tubes to a steam dispersion system, while providingstrong seals, are desired.

SUMMARY

The principles disclosed herein relate to a steam dispersion tube thatis configured for quick attachment and detachment of the tube to andfrom steam dispersion systems. A steam dispersion system utilizing abiasing structure configured to provide a biasing force along thelongitudinal axis of the steam dispersion tube when the tube is mountedto a steam dispersion system is also described. Methods of attachmentand detachment of steam dispersion tubes is also described.

According to one particular aspect, the disclosure is directed to asteam dispersion tube including a header and a mounting plate spacedfrom the header, wherein a steam dispersion tube including a first endand a second end and an interior cavity defined between the first endand the second end is mounted between the mounting plate and the header.The steam dispersion tube defines a longitudinal axis. A biasingstructure is mounted between the mounting plate and the header, whereinthe biasing structure applies a biasing force on the steam dispersiontube along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the steamdispersion tube when mounted between the header and the mounting plate.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in thedescription that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individualfeatures and combinations of features. It is to be understood that boththe foregoing general description and the following detailed descriptionare exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broadinventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein arebased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a steam dispersion systemhaving features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure, portions of the steamdispersion system have been cut away to illustrate certain internalfeatures thereof;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the steam dispersion system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates the steam dispersion system of FIG. 1 from a sideview;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the upper ends of a pluralityof steam dispersion tubes having features that are examples of inventiveaspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosuremounted to the steam dispersion system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the lower ends of the steamdispersion tubes of FIG. 4 mounted to the steam dispersion system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates another perspective view of the lower ends of thesteam dispersion tubes of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the steam dispersion tube having features thatare examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a plug and a biasing structureconfigured for attachment to the upper end of the steam dispersion tubeof FIG. 7 for mounting to the steam dispersion system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fitting configured for attachment tothe lower end of the steam dispersion tube of FIG. 7 for mounting to thesteam dispersion system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a steam dispersion system 10 having features thatare examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles ofthe present disclosure. In the depicted embodiment, the steam dispersionsystem 10 includes a steam manifold (or chamber) in the form of a header12 with a plurality of steam dispersion tubes 14 extending from theheader 12. The header 12 receives humidification steam from a steamsource (e.g., a boiler, an electric humidifier, a gas humidifier, etc.)and distributes the steam pressure evenly among the tubes 14 protrudingtherefrom. The steam tubes 14 coming out of the header 12 disperse thesteam to the atmosphere at generally atmospheric pressure.

In the depicted embodiment, the steam dispersion system 10 is a singleheader system, wherein the dispersion tubes 14 extend from a singleheader 12. The tubes 14 are attached at the other end to a portion of aframe structure 16 supporting the dispersion system 10. Otherconfigurations of steam dispersion systems can be provided according tothe inventive features of the present disclosure.

The frame structure 16 depicted includes a first sidewall 18, a secondsidewall (not shown in the Figures), and a top wall 22. The first andsecond sidewalls are attached to the header 12, and the top wall 22 isspaced from the header 12 and extends between the sidewalls. The topwall 22 defines a plurality of openings 24 that are configured toremovably receive ends of the steam dispersion tubes 14, as will bedescribed in further detail below.

In certain embodiments, the frame structure 16 may be mounted to a ductwall. In other embodiments, the steam dispersion system 10 may be afree-standing system. In addition, even though in the depictedembodiment, the steam dispersion tubes 14 are vertically oriented, inother embodiments, the dispersion system 10 and the tubes 14 may beoriented in other directions. The illustrated system 10 is simply oneexample system provided to illustrate and describe the inventivefeatures of the disclosure and should not be used to limit the inventivefeatures described herein.

The header 12, as depicted, includes a top wall 26, a bottom wall 28, afront wall 30, a rear wall 32, a right sidewall (not shown in theFigures), and a left sidewall 36, cooperatively defining an interior 38.In the depicted embodiment, the header 12 includes generally arectangular cross-sectional shape, wherein the top wall 26, the bottomwall 28, the front wall 30, the rear wall 32, the right sidewall, andthe left sidewall 36 are generally planar, defining substantially rightangles thereinbetween. In other embodiments, the header 12 may be ofother shapes such as round.

The steam dispersion tubes 14 shown herein extend from openings 40formed on the top wall 26 of the header 12. As noted above, the tubes 14are attached at their other ends to the top wall 22 of the framestructure 16.

An example embodiment of a steam dispersion tube 14 having features thatare examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles ofthe present disclosure is shown in FIG. 7. The steam dispersion tube 14includes a generally cylindrical wall 42 defining an outer surface 44and an inner surface 46 (see FIG. 6) extending from a first end 48 tothe second end 50. In other embodiments, the steam dispersion tube 14may be of other shapes, such as square, triangular, elliptical etc.Also, in other embodiments, the steam dispersion tube 14 may be formedfrom multiple pieces that are attached together to form the tube. Thesteam dispersion tube 14 defines a longitudinal axis A.

The steam dispersion tube 14 defines a hollow interior 52 for carryingsteam. The steam dispersion tube 14 includes a plurality of openings 54through the cylindrical wall 42 for emitting the steam. As depicted, theouter surface 44 of the cylindrical wall 42 may be covered withinsulation 56. The insulation 56 may define a plurality of openings 58through the insulation 56 that are aligned with the openings 54 of thesteam dispersion tube 14. A material that may be suitable for theinsulation 56 will preferably be one that meets 25/50 flame/smokeindexes for UL723/ASTM E-84, making it acceptable for use in airducts/plenums. It has also been found that a material that is suitablefor the insulation 56 should preferably be a good insulator, having alow thermal conductivity, preferably, less than about 0.35 Watts/m-K(2.4 in-hr/ft² deg F.). One such material that has been identified tomeet the above-listed criteria is polyvinylidene fluoride (i.e., PVDF)fluoropolymer. Please refer to U.S. Pat. No. 7,744,068 for furtherdescription of a number of insulation materials suitable for the steamdispersion system 10, the entire disclosure of which application isincorporated herein by reference.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4-6, the tube 14 includes steam delivery points59 defined by nozzles 60 (i.e., tubelets) provided in the openings 54.It should be noted that in other embodiments, the steam delivery points59 may be defined simply by the openings 54 of the tubes 14 without theuse of any nozzles.

The nozzles 60, as depicted, are generally cylindrical in shape andproject inwardly in a direction from the outer surface 44 to theinterior 52 of the steam dispersion tubes 14. Each nozzle 60 defines athroughhole 62 which leads to a steam exit 64. The throughhole 62 is influid communication with the hollow interior 52 of the steam dispersiontube 14.

The nozzles 60 may be coupled to the steam dispersion tube 14 by beingpress-fit into the openings 54. Each nozzle 60 may define a shoulder 66that abuts against the outer surface 44 of the cylindrical wall 42 ofthe steam dispersion tube 14.

It should be noted that the nozzles 60 depicted in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-7 is simply one non-limiting example structure for exiting thesteam from the dispersion tubes 14. Other structures are certainlypossible. For example, in other embodiments, the nozzles may be formedintegrally with the cylindrical wall 42 of the steam dispersion tube 14instead of being removably disposed. In other embodiments, as discussedabove, the steam delivery points 58 may be defined simply by theopenings 54 of the tubes 14 without the use of any nozzles 60. In yetother embodiments, a steam dispersion tube 14 may include a fine meshconfiguration, a porous material, or a woven material defining hundreds,even thousands, of steam delivery points.

An example attachment technique for attaching the tubes 14 to the steamdispersion system 10 is described in reference to FIGS. 4-9 As shown inFIGS. 4 and 8, according to one example, a plug 70 is provided forattachment to and sealing the first end 48 of the tube 14. The plug 70may be formed from a polymer or another suitable material for sealingthe end of the tube 14. The plug 70 includes a seal portion 72 and amounting portion 74 with a flange 76 defined thereinbetween. The sealportion 72 is sized to provide a friction fit within the inner surface46 of the steam dispersion tube 14. The flange 76, in the depictedembodiment, is generally circular and is configured to abut against anedge 78 defined by the first end 48 of the dispersion tube 14 to limitfurther insertion of the plug 70.

The mounting portion 74 of the plug 70 is generally elongate. Themounting portion 74 is configured to be inserted into an opening formounting the steam dispersion tube 14 to a steam dispersion system. Asdiscussed previously, the opening may be of a frame top wall 22 oranother structure for mounting the steam dispersion tubes 14 onto asteam dispersion system 10. In the depicted embodiment, the mountingportion 74 defines a circular configuration that tapers outwardly goingfrom the upper end 80 of the plug 70 toward the lower end 82, whereinthe diameter D of the mounting portion increases as it extendsdownwardly toward the flange 76.

The mounting portion 74 of the plug 70 is also configured to receive abiasing structure 84. When the steam dispersion tube 14 is mounted tothe steam dispersion system 10, the biasing structure 84 is capturedbetween the flange 76 of the plug 70 and the structure defining themounting opening (e.g., the top wall 22 of the frame 16). In thedepicted embodiment, the biasing structure 84 is depicted as acoil-spring. Other types of biasing structures such as dampers, othertypes of springs, etc. may also be used.

According to the present disclosure, the biasing structure 84 may be anyresilient structure that provides a biasing force on the steamdispersion tube 14 along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis Awhen the tube 14 is mounted to the system 10.

As shown in FIG. 8, the coil-spring 84 is slid over the mounting portion74 of the plug 70 from the upper end 80, where the diameter D of themounting portion 74 is smaller. Adjacent the flange 76 of the plug 70,the diameter D of the mounting portion 74 is increased and is preferablysized to provide a snug friction fit with the coil-spring 84 to lock thespring into place.

It should be noted that the mounting portion 74 of the plug 70 depictedis configured to receive a coil-spring type biasing structure 84.Depending upon the type and the shape of the biasing structure 84 used,the mounting portion 74 can take on other configurations. The depictedembodiment should not be used to limit the inventive features of thepresent disclosure.

It should also be noted that although in the depicted embodiment, thebiasing structure 84 is shown as being attached to the steam dispersiontube 14, in other embodiments, the biasing structure 84 can be attachedto other parts of the system 10, such as the top wall 22 of the frame16. In this manner, the biasing structure 84 may still be compressedagainst an end 48 of the tube 14 when the plug 70 is being inserted intoan opening 24 of the top wall 22 of the frame 16.

In other embodiments, the biasing structure 84 may be located atportions of the dispersion tube 14 other than adjacent an end 48 of thetube 14. For example, in certain embodiments, a coil-spring may be largeenough in diameter to go around a portion of the cylindrical wall 42 ofthe dispersion tube 14 and be compressed against a peripheral flangethat may be located at location along the length L of the tube 14. Aslong as the biasing structure is configured to apply a biasing force onthe steam dispersion tube 14 along a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis A of the steam dispersion tube 14 when mounted on thesystem 10, a number of different configurations can be used.

Although illustrated as being a circular coil-spring, the biasingstructure 84 can take on other shapes and forms, such as being square incross-sectional profile.

Now referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 9, for mounting the second end 50 ofthe steam dispersion tube 14 into an opening 40 formed on the header 12,a circular fitting 90 may be used. In one embodiment, the fitting 90 maybe made out of metal (e.g., aluminum).

The fitting 90 is shown in further detail in FIG. 9. As depicted, thefitting 90 includes an inner surface 92 and an outer surface 94. Thediameter of the inner surface 92 of the fitting 90 is sized to receivethe outer surface 44 of the dispersion tube 14 with a friction fit. Theinner surface 92 of the fitting 90 defines a radially inwardlyprotruding lip 96 adjacent a lower end 98 of the fitting 90. The lip 96is configured to contact an edge 100 defined by the second end 50 of thesteam dispersion tube 14 to stop further insertion thereof.

The outer surface 94 of the fitting 90 defines a radially outwardlyprotruding flange 102 adjacent an upper end 104 of the fitting 90. Theflange 102 is configured to abut a surface such as the top wall 26 of aheader 12 when the tube 14 is mounted to a steam dispersion system 10 tolimit further insertion of the tube 14.

A seal structure 108 may be slidably placed onto the fitting 90 and maybe positioned underneath the flange 102. The seal structure 108 iscaptured between the flange 102 and the top wall 26 of the header 12when the tube 14 is mounted to the system 10. In the illustratedembodiment, the seal structure 108 is depicted as a gasket having asquare cross-sectional profile. Other types of sealing structures 108(such as O-rings, etc.) may be utilized.

The fitting 90 may define a recess 110 below the flange 102 for seatingthe seal structure 108. The recess 110 is defined by the flange 102 atan upper end 112 and a second smaller lip 114 at a lower end 116. Asnoted, when the second end 50 of the steam dispersion tube 14 is mountedto an opening 40 of the header 12, the seal structure 108 is capturedbetween the top wall 26 of the header 12 and the flange 102 of thefitting 90.

In mounting a steam dispersion tube 14 to the steam dispersion system10, once the plug 70 with the coil-spring 84 and the fitting 90 arefrictionally fit to the first and second ends 48, 50, respectively, ofthe dispersion tube 14, the upper end 48 of the steam dispersion tube 14is first inserted into an opening 24 formed in the frame 16. Themounting portion 74 of the plug 70 is inserted with the biasingstructure 84 being captured between the frame 16 and the flange 76 ofthe plug 70. Then, the upper end 48 of the tube 14 is pushed toward theframe 16, compressing the biasing structure 84, until the lower end 50of the tube 14 (with the fitting 90 mounted thereon) can be insertedinto an opening 40 in the header 12. When the second end 50 is inserted,the seal structure 108 is captured between the flange 102 of the fitting90 and the top wall 26 of the header 12. The downward biasing force ofthe biasing structure 84 ensures a good seal between the fitting 90 andthe header opening 40 by compressing the seal structure 108 against thetop wall 26 of the header 12.

If a steam dispersion tube 14 needs to be removed from the system 10,the upper end 48 of the tube 14 is first pushed upwardly toward theframe 16, compressing the biasing structure 84, until the lower end 50of the tube 14 (with the fitting 90 thereon) can be lifted out of theheader opening 40 for removal.

It should be noted that the sealing technique described herein forsealing the second end 50 of the tube 14 to the header 12 is simply oneexample configuration and should not be used to limit the inventivefeatures of the disclosure.

The steam dispersion tube 14 of the present disclosure and the mountingmethod thereof provides a number of advantages over conventionalmounting configurations and techniques.

The method of the present disclosure enables rapid installation andremoval of the dispersion tubes 14, with essentially no tools. Thepresent method of attachment accommodates tolerance stack-up ofcomponents, ensuring that the dispersion tubes 14 consistently fit intothe frame 16 of the steam dispersion system 10. The present method ofattachment accommodates for thermal expansion of the dispersion tubes 14and/or other parts of the dispersion system 10, such as the header 12.

The biasing structure 84 of the present system 10 accommodates anyvertical displacement between parts of the system 10. The biasingstructure 84 is positioned and configured such that it can eithercontinuously take up any slack or allow for expansion. For example, acontinuous downward force is provided on the seal structure 108 tocompress it against the header top wall 26, forming a strong seal withthe opening 40 in the header 12. Also, since the header steam chambermight be pressurized (e.g., up to 8″ H₂0, 0.29 psi, or 42 lbs/ft²), thebiasing structure 84 can accommodate an upward force that might becreated by the displacement of the header top wall 26.

The continuous downward force provided by the biasing structure 84 mayalso help seal any features within the header chamber to the header topwall 26. For example, in a system that includes a header 12 that isdivided into more than one chamber with a header divider, the downwardforce of the biasing structure 84 against the top wall 26 of the header12 can compress any sealing features on the header divider against thebottom face of the header top wall 26, ensuring a tight seal between thetwo or more chambers. Please see U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,535 for an examplesteam dispersion system utilizing a header that is divided into morethan one chamber, the entire disclosure of which application isincorporated herein by reference. In such a system, a first plurality ofsteam dispersion tubes may communicate with one chamber while a secondplurality of steam dispersion tubes communicate with the other chamber.The first or the second pluralities of tubes may be selectively turnedon or off depending upon the humidification demand needed.

Further advantages of the mounting method of the present disclosureincludes the possible elimination of parts such as tube stubs, plasticcouplings, hose cuffs, large number of sealing structures, etc.Elimination of these parts may lead to reduction in costs forinstallation. Processes such as drilling, welding, header wallstraightening, coupling installation, and O-ring installation may belimited or eliminated. Assembly time may be reduced.

With the mounting method of the present disclosure, the second end 50 ofthe dispersion tube 14, with the fitting 90 mounted thereon, protrudesinto the interior 38 of the header 12, versus being butted up as a stubin the conventional techniques. This might ensure that all condensateformed within the tube 14 falls into the header 12 without having torely upon O-ring seals of plastic couplings used in conventional methodsof attachment. Risks of torn O-ring material dislodging and foulingstructures such as traps within the header 12 might be reduced oreliminated with the attachment method of the present disclosure.

Although in the foregoing description of the steam dispersion system 10,terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” “upward,” and“downward” may have been used for ease of description and illustration,no restriction is intended by such use of the terms. The steamdispersion system 10 described herein can be used in any orientationwithin a duct.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinventive features of the disclosure. Since many embodiments of theinventive aspects of the disclosure can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the disclosure, the inventive aspects reside inthe claims hereinafter appended.

We claim: 1) A steam dispersion system comprising: a header defining asteam chamber, the header including an opening communicating with anexterior of the header; a mounting plate spaced from the header; a steamdispersion tube including a first end and a second end and an interiorcavity defined between the first end and the second end, the steamdispersion tube defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the first end ofthe steam dispersion tube is mounted to the mounting plate and thesecond end of the steam dispersion tube is mounted to the header suchthat the opening of the header is in fluid communication with theinterior cavity of the steam dispersion tube, the steam dispersion tubedefining at least one opening for dispensing steam to an exterior of thesteam dispersion tube when mounted between the header and the mountingplate; and a biasing structure positioned between the mounting plate andthe header and axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the steamdispersion tube. 2) A steam dispersion system according to claim 1,wherein the biasing structure is located between the first end of thesteam dispersion tube and the mounting plate. 3) A steam dispersionsystem according to claim 1, wherein the biasing structure is acoil-spring. 4) A steam dispersion system according to claim 1, whereinthe steam dispersion tube is removably mounted to the mounting plate andthe header such that the steam dispersion tube can be mounted or removedby compressing the biasing structure. 5) A steam dispersion systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the steam dispersion tube includes a plugsealing the first end of the steam dispersion tube and the biasingstructure mounted to the plug, wherein the plug is removably insertedinto an opening formed in the mounting plate and the biasing structurebecomes positioned between the first end of the steam dispersion tubeand the mounting plate when the steam dispersion tube is mounted betweenthe mounting plate and the header. 6) A steam dispersion tube accordingto claim 5, wherein the steam dispersion tube includes a flange adjacentthe second end, wherein the steam dispersion tube is removably mountedto the opening of the header with a seal structure captured between theflange and the header, the seal structure compressed by a compressionforce provided by the biasing structure when the steam dispersion tubeis mounted. 7) A steam dispersion tube according to claim 6, wherein aportion of the steam dispersion tube protrudes into the steam chamber ofthe header when the steam dispersion tube is removably mounted betweenthe header and the mounting plate. 8) A steam dispersion tube accordingto claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is part of a frame structureconfigured to support a plurality of steam dispersion tubes extendingbetween the mounting plate and the header. 9) A method of attaching asteam dispersion tube to a steam dispersion system, the methodcomprising: providing a header defining a steam chamber, the headerincluding an opening communicating with an exterior of the header;providing a mounting plate at a first distance from the header;providing a steam dispersion tube including a first end and a second endand an interior cavity defined between the first end and the second end,the steam dispersion tube defining at least one opening for dispensingsteam to an exterior of the steam dispersion tube; mounting the firstend of the steam dispersion tube to the mounting plate; inserting thesecond end of the steam dispersion tube into the opening of the header;and placing a biasing structure at a location between the mounting plateand the header in line with a longitudinal axis of the steam dispersiontube. 10) A method according to claim 9, further comprising providingthe biasing structure between the first end of the steam dispersion tubeand the mounting plate. 11) A method according to claim 10, furthercomprising removing the steam dispersion tube from the steam dispersionsystem by pushing the steam dispersion tube against the mounting plateto compress the biasing structure against the mounting plate and liftingthe second end of the steam dispersion tube out of the opening of theheader. 12) A method according to claim 10, further comprising insertinga plug into the first end of the steam dispersion tube to seal the firstend thereof and placing the biasing structure on the plug. 13) A methodaccording to claim 12, further comprising providing an opening in themounting plate and inserting a portion of the plug into the opening ofthe mounting plate with the biasing structure positioned between thefirst end of the steam dispersion tube and the mounting plate. 14) Amethod according to claim 9, wherein the biasing structure is acoil-spring. 15) A method according to claim 9, further comprisingmounting a plurality of steam dispersion tubes between the mountingplate and the header. 16) A method according to claim 9, furthercomprising placing a seal structure between the steam dispersion tubeand the opening of the header. 17) A steam dispersion tube comprising: afirst end and a second end and an interior cavity defined between thefirst end and the second end; at least one steam dispersion openinglocated between the first end and the second end for dispensing steam toan exterior of the steam dispersion tube; a plug sealing the first end,the plug defining an elongate portion; a biasing structure placed on theplug, wherein the biasing structure is configured to compress againstthe first end of the steam dispersion tube when the elongate portion ofthe plug is inserted into an opening in a steam dispersion system. 18) Asteam dispersion tube according to claim 17, further comprising aradially outwardly extending flange adjacent the second end. 19) A steamdispersion tube according to claim 18, further comprising a sealstructure located underneath the flange between the second end of thesteam dispersion tube and the flange. 20) A steam dispersion tubeaccording to claim 17, further comprising a plurality of steamdispersion openings located between the first end and the second end fordispensing steam to an exterior of the steam dispersion tube. 21) Asteam dispersion system comprising: a header defining a steam chamber,the header including an opening communicating with an exterior of theheader; a mounting plate spaced from the header; a steam dispersion tubeincluding a first end and a second end and an interior cavity definedbetween the first end and the second end, the steam dispersion tubedefining a longitudinal axis, wherein the first end of the steamdispersion tube is mounted to the mounting plate and the second end ofthe steam dispersion tube is mounted to the header such that the openingof the header is in fluid communication with the interior cavity of thesteam dispersion tube, the steam dispersion tube defining at least oneopening for dispensing steam to an exterior of the steam dispersion tubewhen mounted between the header and the mounting plate; and a biasingstructure mounted between the mounting plate and the header, wherein thebiasing structure applies a biasing force on the steam dispersion tubealong a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the steamdispersion tube when mounted between the header and the mounting plate.